AirPlay: What is it, how it works and how to take advantage of wireless transmission

Today we will see, simply, what is AirPlay, since at present, all types of wireless connection are widespread, and the cables are a thing of the past, so if you are one of those who prefer this Technology, AirPlay will like it, and a lot.

What is AirPlay

AirPlay is one Wireless transmission technology Created by Apple and with the aim of being able to visualize photos, videos, documents, and any multimedia file in different equipment connected to each other, such as watching a YouTube video that we are reproducing on our iPhone, directly on the compatible TV, for that everyone can observe it at the same time. Its main advantage is that you do not need cables for this, although it will have some requirements that we will see below.

How AirPlay works

Now that we know what it is for, you have to know how it works, and it is that everything occurs Through the Wi-Fi network. The emitting and receiving devices must be connected to the same network to make this possible. And it is that AirPlay uses communication protocols that guarantee a high quality and low latency transmission, so it could not be done through Bluetooth or other less fast forms, so it would be the only one against, to have an Internet network.

There are two main ways to use AirPlay:

1. Screen duplication: It allows to show on a television or monitor the same thing seen on the screen of the device that is connected to them, ideal for presentations or to watch videos and photos of our equipment (the use of piracy or illegal broadcast applications may be restricted, by which sometimes you will not be able to play appyright apps).
2. Content transmission: Send audio or video to a compatible device without duplicating the screen, allowing to use the device from which it is being transmitted to continue looking for more things, or simply to answer a call or use it in other tasks without having to leave it connected and pending he.

Compatible devices

Not all teams are compatible, so we must take into account what they are to be able to take advantage of this technology, although we can adapt any of them as televisions (any model, however old), with external devices.

• Apple TV: All recent Apple TV models are compatible with AirPlay and allow you to receive content from Apple devices, be it iPhone, Mac, etc. As well as All brand devices each other.
• AirPlay speakers: In this section we have many options, especially brands such as Sonos, Bose and Bang & Olufsen, which offer speakers compatible with high quality audio transmission using AirPlay.
• Smart TVs: Many brands of brands such as Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio include support for AirPlay 2, which allows you to transmit videos and double the screen without the need for an Apple TV, since it would be integrated into the TV itself natively.
• Fire TV and Android Box: Despite Android technology, many external players brands such as Amazon's Fire TV, are compatible with Apple AirPlay, so an intelligent TV will not be missing, but we can adapt it in anyone, without paying what Apple is TV.

How to make the most AirPlay

To get the most AirPlay benefit, consider the following recommendations:

• Keep a good Wi-Fi connection: A stable network and with sufficient bandwidth improves the transmission quality and reduces interruptions. Think that it will not be the same to teach some photos, than to transmit a 4K YouTube video, so keep in mind what you are going to connect, and if you need a good signal, or not.
• Use AirPlay 2 for greater functionality: AirPlay 2, the improved version, allows transmission to several devices simultaneously, which is ideal for audio configurations in several rooms, for example. However, not all teams are compatible, so we will have to review it previously.
• Explore compatible applications: Many applications such as YouTube, Netflix and Spotify allow transmission via AirPlay, its use being much more comfortable, since they usually have an icon in the app itself, so it will not be necessary to go to the AirPlay menu, but we can start the emission With a click.
• Take advantage of homekit integration: If you have an Apple device ecosystem, you can use AirPlay together with Homekit to control reproduction through Siri, pausing a video, asking for a song, or uploading the volume, for example.

Now that you know what this technology is and for it, you can start using it, it is very comfortable, I assure you that you will love it.